Bird · Resident
Piapiac
How to identify the piapiac
All black with a purplish gloss, a long graduated tail and a violet eye. Young birds have a pink bill with a black tip.
Where to see the piapiac in Murchison Falls National Park
Around herds on game drives north of the Nile, especially in Borassus palm savanna.
Habitat
Open savanna with palms and scattered trees, and around grazing animals and villages.
What the piapiac eats
Insects flushed by large animals, ticks taken from their skin, and fruit, especially oil-palm fruit.
Behaviour
Sociable and noisy, moving in groups of ten or more.
Best time to see the piapiac
All year. Resident, here all year.
Last reviewed 5 October 2026. Further reading: en.wikipedia.org.
Questions about the piapiac
What is the black bird that rides on buffalo in Murchison Falls?
Often the piapiac, a long-tailed black crow. Oxpeckers also ride on buffalo but are smaller and brown, with red or yellow bills.
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